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The Blue Medina of Chefchaouen, Morocco

Chefchaouen Medina

Though I’d heard the word a lot while planning my trip, I didn’t understand what a medina was until I stepped into one. It’s an old city. Walled off, you often enter through a clay gate. The walls are beige or brown or clay-colored. But not in Chefchaouen.

The walls, the steps, the roofs of many of the buildings in the Chefchaouen medina are painted a light shade of blue. It’s very soothing and it keeps the temperature cool.

Chefchaouen, in a word, is relaxing. Whether because it’s a small town in the Rif mountains, or because of the blue medina, I can’t say.

Chefchaouen medina, blue

Chefchaouen medina, blue

Blue

Medina, with pots

Medina, alley

Blue Medina, stairs

Angles

  1. Sasha says:

    Oh wow these pics totally blow me away!!! STUNNING!!! They really need to be framed and on a wall, one day I must see this for real!!! :)

  2. Stephanie says:

    Beautiful!! I love all the blue, makes for some interesting pictures.

  3. Adam says:

    Yep, I'm a sucker for colors and this place just blew me away.

  4. Adam says:

    Thanks Shannon,
    This was one of my favorite medinas to get lost in—even though it was on the side of a hill and there was a lot of walking up & down.

  5. Adam says:

    Aw thanks Sasha!

    Chefchaouen was a really nice place. It was a great little mountain town to spend a day or two.

  6. ShannonOD says:

    Wow – that city is GORGEOUS! What a beautiful town to spend some days walking around :-)

  7. adventurouskate says:

    LOVE those pictures! What a cool place.

  8. Lynette says:

    OMG I REALLY WANT TO BE THERE……….OOOOOOOOOOOOOH
    THANKS FOR SHARING I CAN SMELL THE AIR! xoxo

  9. backpackingmatt says:

    Wow, beautiful pictures! What a place to wander and take photos.

  10. That's a lot of blue! It looks really pretty but, even though blue is my favourite colour, I think it would drive me nuts to stare at so much blue all day!

    Great collection of photos.

  11. Adam says:

    Cool in every way! Cheers Kate

  12. monica530 says:

    Incredible photos Adam! I can't wait to see this place with my own eyes one day. Hope you're staying healthy & safe in your travels. No more golf ball eyes please. :)

  13. Adam says:

    Haha thanks Monica! I've been more careful lately… And finally wearing
    my contacts again!

  14. Adam says:

    Thanks mate!

    It might get a little tiring looking at all the blue but it's just so calming I don't think it comes easily!

  15. Adam says:

    Yup, Matt! A photographer's dream.

  16. Adam says:

    Aww thanks Lynette!

    Absolutely a stunning place. Love the Mediterannean!

  17. Daniel says:

    Exquisite shots! Love the interplay of light and all of those shades of blue! Excellent — thanks for sharing!

  18. These are amazing pictures, but I agree with the blue driving me crazy after a while. This really is lovely though. Thank you for sharing. :)

  19. Adam says:

    No problem, Daniel. Mediterranean light is probably the best in the world! No wonder Chefchaouen is known as an center of art.

  20. Adam says:

    Thanks Candice!

  21. Adam says:

    Thanks Erica…. It is beyond a doubt a beautiful town.

  22. Candice Walsh says:

    Wow Adam, this is freaking stunning.

  23. Gourmantic says:

    Gorgeous blues! I love how some of these images take us there…

  24. Dustin Main says:

    Looks like it would be a blast to shoot. I'll have to put it on my hit list when I arrive in Morocco later this year. Nice pics Adam.

  25. Ted Beatie says:

    We missed Chefchaouen when we were there a few years ago, but it's on our list for this year!

  26. flexeble says:

    Nice photos and an interesting albeit short story. Thanks!

  27. Christine says:

    I didn’t know Medina had Moorish significance until I traveled to Morocco myself…and it’s my last name! Great pics, great post..like always! :)

  28. I have the sudden urge to listen to Eiffel 65

  29. […] The first place I visited in my ten days in Morocco was the beautiful blue medina of Chefchaouen. […]

  30. Chefchaouen waterfall | Adam's Travel Photos says:

    […] Morocco is in the north of Morocco and is probably most famous for its beautifully vibrant blue medina (or city center). The Morocco Lonely Planet also said the city is famous for a beautiful […]

  31. Chefchaouen’s disappointing waterfall | Travels of Adam - Hipster travel around the world says:

    […] Morocco is in the north of Morocco and is probably most famous for its beautifully vibrant blue medina (or city center). The Morocco Lonely Planet also said the city is famous for a beautiful […]

  32. Patrick says:

    I could spend an entire day photographing this place… Very nice.

    • Adam says:

      Patrick,
      It’s truly a wonderful city to spend some time in. One of the best places to get lost!

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